Against the Dying of the Light: A Parent's Story of Love, Loss and Hope

by Leonard J. Fein

How a father's struggle to understand his daughter’s sudden death becomes an inspiring exploration of life. The sudden death of a child. A personal tragedy beyond description. The permanent presence of an absence. What can come from it? Raw wisdom and defiant hope. Leonard Fein probes life’s painful injustices in this remarkable personal story. He exposes emotional truths that are revealed when we’re forced to confront one of the toughest questions there How can we pick up the pieces of our lives and go on to laugh and to love in the aftermath of grievous loss? Ruthlessly honest, lyrical and wise, Against the Dying of the Light takes the experience of loss beyond the confines of the personal, illuminating the universal meaning and the hope that can be found in the details of grief.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2001

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book to share with a friend whose child recently died. I decided to read it first....and I am glad I did. The book was insightful and Leonard Fein does a thoughtful job of describing his experience. I found many of his examples very helpful, even so many years after losing a child myself. However, I am hesitating before sharing this book with my friend. Firstly, the description of his daughter was a bit too perfect. I am sure that his daughter deserves all the accolades that he shared....I am just concerned that not everyone's child has such a stellar history. And the way this book is written, the solace that Fein feels from all her attributes, is a bit hard to swallow, if your child somehow does not measure up. As an example, Fein describes how comforting it was to have so many people at the funeral and so many cars at the funeral procession, for me, it made me think of all of the people who have to mourn a child alone or with few around them. Secondly, Fein writes again and again about his granddaughter. This is a key part of his journey but not alas for my friend whose daughter was childless. He evens ends the book with a verbose letter to his granddaughter, which he states maybe she will read at thirteen, again I am happy if this is the level of sophistication for his family but certainly not the families I know.
So, I will put this book on my bookshelf and may refer to it from time to time , but I will not gift it to a recently bereaved parent.
Perhaps, when Fein has the time, and desire, he might glean from the book so many of there wonderful and helpful insights, and create a book that is more accessible for others. However,as a tribute to his daughter, it is a must read.

[Jackie St Hilaire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional story of love and tragedy.

The untimely death of his daughter Nomi forces Leonard Fein to explore his deepest emotions.

Years later he writes the story of his journey from grief to peace. Fein comes to the realization that there will always be a void in his life, and that is very normal and part of a life well examined and realized.

A story of a Jewish family's tradition, faith, devotion and love for one another.

In Nomi's death comes life through her husband, daughter, parents, friends and many more who have been touched by her life.

A wonderful teaching story of how one young person's life has made a difference.

[Daughters Of Abraham]

a long-time social activist, teacher and writer in the Boston area. The book chronicles his struggle to deal with the loss of his favorite daughter, who died of a heart attack at the age of 30. It is a chronicle of unresolved grief, which our group found difficult to appreciate. (Cambridge 2)